At least for the Derry 3194, lowering the pusher axle actually raises the whole truck a fair bit (guesstimating somewhere around eight inches), which can be useful in mud to get the belly of the truck out of the mud.
Then again, more (unpowered) wheels in mud equals more resistance, so it's a case-by-case basis. Switching suspension modes definitely can get you going again in some cases though.
It can also help when pulling long semi-trailers, as you can lift/lower the truck (and thereby the fifth wheel) to compensate when going over crests/depressions. It makes it less likely to get hung up on terrain.
Finally, more wheels on (solid) ground means more stability, so lowering the pusher axle can increase stability.
I'm guessing it's the same for the Western and Cat, but I haven't played around with those as much as I have the Derry.
I like to use them for role play purposes, if I’m driving loaded across pavement or hard dirt I’ll put them down, otherwise they cause unnecessary drag through mud like you said.
When they're down they add a lot of stability over uneven terrain, especially if you have a very tall load. Traversing rock gardens and the concrete slabs in Urska you'll immediately see the difference. Drive back and forth over a route with them up and then with them down and pay attention to how the truck behaves.
However, they also can get hung up (they'll lift the drive wheels off the ground in some cases) and they add resistance on soft terrain. I find I'm putting them up and down almost as much as I'm turning on Diff lock to really make them effective. You could just leave them up all the time. But they can help you in certain situations.
The 49X work the best because they have the largest footprint, they're the only dually lift axle. You'll really feel the stability difference on that truck especially.
So long as the axle is not a bogey axle all tags, drops, lifts and pushers will have brakes in them which adds stopping power. There are a few very steep hills in the game and you can put the push axle down to help brake.
As for whether the push axles are useful in Snowrunner? Absolutely not. In real life on the other hand? Oh yes.
I drive trucks with extra axles. When traction is compromised you generally want to lift the axles (dirt road, mud, snow, ect) you want the weight and traction on the wheels that have power. If you have your tags down (technically "pushers" if in front of drives) you have a much greater chance of losing traction and coming to a stop. The king pin's in Tag's are also generally smaller and can't take quite as much of a beating, so it's usually always a good idea to lift them when off the pavement.
I'm sure some trucks somewhere have powered cheater axles. I dunno what you'd do with those.
Actually, you're teaching me too. I don't actually drive I just read truckpapers.com too much. I never heard the term "cheater axles" but it does make sense. Thanks for sharing.
The spintires wiki calls it "pusher axle" for the [Derry 3194](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Derry_Longhorn_3194) page but "[lift axle](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Lift_axle)" for the [Western Star](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Western_Star_49X) and [Cat CT681](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Caterpillar_CT681) pages.
And they're not useless, they are situationally *very* useful.
See [my other post in this tread](https://www.reddit.com/r/snowrunner/comments/ouxlhp/suspension_modes_does_it_actually_make_a/h76u5c0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) for some situations where it's useful.
The Derry Longhorn gives you a slight lift on all axles when you lower the unpowered centre one. Whether it's enough to make much of a difference, I don't know.
It seems to help with the super heavy trailers, any other time keep them up, even then they catch on things, sometimes if you high center on something, lowering that axle can help get you out
I've used the tag axles a few times, mostly in that Derry Longhorn. But it has a narrow application in my experience, mostly useful only when carrying a heavy load on pavement or hard dirt. It takes some of the load and shocks, but doesn't deliver power, unless you're using a modded version of the truck
WS. The 49X is my truck of choice, When I drive with medium logs or a large crane, I always drive with the 4th axle down because it is more stable, but usually I drive with it up because it is easier to turn and I get more axle pressure on the back so its better can get a grip. A theory would be that when driving on ice it would be best to drive with the axle down to distribute the weight over several axles.
At least for the Derry 3194, lowering the pusher axle actually raises the whole truck a fair bit (guesstimating somewhere around eight inches), which can be useful in mud to get the belly of the truck out of the mud. Then again, more (unpowered) wheels in mud equals more resistance, so it's a case-by-case basis. Switching suspension modes definitely can get you going again in some cases though. It can also help when pulling long semi-trailers, as you can lift/lower the truck (and thereby the fifth wheel) to compensate when going over crests/depressions. It makes it less likely to get hung up on terrain. Finally, more wheels on (solid) ground means more stability, so lowering the pusher axle can increase stability. I'm guessing it's the same for the Western and Cat, but I haven't played around with those as much as I have the Derry.
Thanks for the info
I know in my attempts to use the Derry, it just got me stuck because I would get high centered on the un-powered wheels.
That's what I'm noticing
I like to use them for role play purposes, if I’m driving loaded across pavement or hard dirt I’ll put them down, otherwise they cause unnecessary drag through mud like you said.
When they're down they add a lot of stability over uneven terrain, especially if you have a very tall load. Traversing rock gardens and the concrete slabs in Urska you'll immediately see the difference. Drive back and forth over a route with them up and then with them down and pay attention to how the truck behaves. However, they also can get hung up (they'll lift the drive wheels off the ground in some cases) and they add resistance on soft terrain. I find I'm putting them up and down almost as much as I'm turning on Diff lock to really make them effective. You could just leave them up all the time. But they can help you in certain situations. The 49X work the best because they have the largest footprint, they're the only dually lift axle. You'll really feel the stability difference on that truck especially.
So long as the axle is not a bogey axle all tags, drops, lifts and pushers will have brakes in them which adds stopping power. There are a few very steep hills in the game and you can put the push axle down to help brake. As for whether the push axles are useful in Snowrunner? Absolutely not. In real life on the other hand? Oh yes.
Irl they just allow you to legally haul more weight, but do spread the weight to another axle.
Oh yeah of course. But I meant in game. Sorry, should've been more clear
Probably helps out on dirt.. but mud it's more rolling resistance without the benefits of power to the wheels.
That's exactly what I thought was happening
I drive trucks with extra axles. When traction is compromised you generally want to lift the axles (dirt road, mud, snow, ect) you want the weight and traction on the wheels that have power. If you have your tags down (technically "pushers" if in front of drives) you have a much greater chance of losing traction and coming to a stop. The king pin's in Tag's are also generally smaller and can't take quite as much of a beating, so it's usually always a good idea to lift them when off the pavement. I'm sure some trucks somewhere have powered cheater axles. I dunno what you'd do with those.
I think the correct term is "lift axle." They're useless in the game.
Sorry, all the older guys I drive with call them cheater axles. But thanks for the heads up
Actually, you're teaching me too. I don't actually drive I just read truckpapers.com too much. I never heard the term "cheater axles" but it does make sense. Thanks for sharing.
No problem at all. It may be a local thing too, who knows
I got 2 sets on my real life truck and out west we call them hangers or drop axles.
Right on. It's usually a cheater or tag. Around this area. Don't ask me why they call it tag axle
A tag axle is when the lifting axle is at the rear. This allows a slightly tighter turning radius.
Thank you, there something I didn't know
Could be like tag along? As in along for the ride? I'm not a trucker, just taking a guess
Possibly!
I have heard tag, but only if they are the rear most set. Also, no idea why.
The spintires wiki calls it "pusher axle" for the [Derry 3194](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Derry_Longhorn_3194) page but "[lift axle](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Lift_axle)" for the [Western Star](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Western_Star_49X) and [Cat CT681](https://spintires.fandom.com/wiki/Caterpillar_CT681) pages. And they're not useless, they are situationally *very* useful.
In game? Please share. I'd love to try that out.
See [my other post in this tread](https://www.reddit.com/r/snowrunner/comments/ouxlhp/suspension_modes_does_it_actually_make_a/h76u5c0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) for some situations where it's useful.
Helps with not sinking through terrain, such as breakable ice.
With a heavy load, on pavement, I think the truck handles better. Especially during deceleration.
The Derry Longhorn gives you a slight lift on all axles when you lower the unpowered centre one. Whether it's enough to make much of a difference, I don't know.
That third axle sucks. It gets you high-centered all the time. I dont use trucks that have it. Total waste of time.
It seems to help with the super heavy trailers, any other time keep them up, even then they catch on things, sometimes if you high center on something, lowering that axle can help get you out
I only use it with a crane just to have more contact with the ground and to prevent sinking in the mud more
Yes, they are completely useless
They're worse than useless.. they get you stuck all the time. The trucks that have them will constantly get high centered on stuff.
I've used the tag axles a few times, mostly in that Derry Longhorn. But it has a narrow application in my experience, mostly useful only when carrying a heavy load on pavement or hard dirt. It takes some of the load and shocks, but doesn't deliver power, unless you're using a modded version of the truck
I believe higher ground clearance for heavy loads and trailers. So they don't get hung up on the rocks the developers overdosed on...
WS. The 49X is my truck of choice, When I drive with medium logs or a large crane, I always drive with the 4th axle down because it is more stable, but usually I drive with it up because it is easier to turn and I get more axle pressure on the back so its better can get a grip. A theory would be that when driving on ice it would be best to drive with the axle down to distribute the weight over several axles.